Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Whitney
GirlOld English, English· “white island”
- Meaning
- white island
- Origin
- Old English, English
- Pronunciation
- WIHT-nee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,046
- US babies 2025
- 238
- Best rank
- #32 (1986)
- Peak year
- 1986
Meaning and origin of Whitney
Whitney is an Old English and English name that means “white island”.
Whitney comes from an English surname taken from a place name meaning "white island" or "island by the white land", from Old English hwit, "white", and ieg, "island" or "dry ground in a marsh". Whitney-on-Wye in Herefordshire is one such place. As a given name Whitney was first used for boys, then rose sharply for girls in the late twentieth century, helped by the fame of the singer Whitney Houston. Mount Whitney in California, the highest peak in the contiguous United States, also carries the name. Whitney sounds crisp, bright and polished.
Popularity over time
Whitney first appears in US Social Security records in 1936. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 60 different years, starting in 1962. Its best national rank was #32 in 1986, the same year it reached its highest count of 9,536 babies. In 2025, 238 babies were named Whitney, and it ranked #1,046 nationally. That is 47% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,776 in 1950, #219 in 1980, #271 in 2000, #544 in 2010, and #1,046 in 2025. Of the 97,663 US girls named Whitney since records began, 45% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 32,886 babies. Since 2010, 5,825 more have been named Whitney.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Erica, Katie, Vanessa, Jenna, and Krystal.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Whitney ranked highest in Maine, Massachusetts, and Iowa.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | #256 | 5 |
| Massachusetts | #443 | 13 |
| Iowa | #561 | 6 |
| Minnesota | #728 | 7 |
| New York | #754 | 22 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 97% of US babies named Whitney over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Whitney is usually pronounced WIHT-nee, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with W and ends in “-ey”.
Middle names for Whitney
A few middle names that flow with Whitney: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Whitney
Similar names
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Lists that include Whitney
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Whitney mean?
Whitney is an Old English and English name that means “white island”.
What is the origin of the name Whitney?
Whitney has Old English and English roots. Whitney comes from an English surname taken from a place name meaning "white island" or "island by the white land", from Old English hwit, "white", and ieg, "island" or "dry ground in a marsh".
Is Whitney a popular name?
Not especially. Whitney ranked #1,046 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Whitney a boy or girl name?
Whitney is mainly a girl's name. About 97% of US babies named Whitney over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Whitney?
Whitney is usually pronounced WIHT-nee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings